Postdoctoral Award Programme for Study of Humanities in Africa,
10/06
Programme for the Study of the Humanities in Africa
Postdoctoral Award Announcement
The Programme for the Study of the Humanities in Africa
(PSHA) at the University of the Western Cape invites
suitably qualified candidates to apply for two-year
postdoctoral fellowships starting in 2007. The PSHA is
an exciting research platform based in the Centre for
Humanities Research dedicated to redefining Humanities
research in and about Africa and making sense of the
driving forces of globalization. It is backed by a
generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The PSHA encourages scholarship that rethinks
foundational categories of culture, identity and nation
through exploring contestations surrounding notions of
multiculturalism, postcoloniality, and cultural
sovereignty in Africa. As such, the programme
emphasises critical reflection on the humanities and
African modernities. The postdoctoral awards are aimed
at fostering critical dialogue in an academically
engaged and supportive environment on the key themes of
the PSHA.
Selection of candidates will be based on the strength
of academic achievement and commitment to the
intellectual outlines of the PSHA. Successful
candidates will become Fellows of the CHR. Those
selected to this prestigious fellowship programme will
be required to participate in a reading programme with
other recipients of the grant and faculty members. The
weekly topical workshop for 2007 will be dedicated to
exploring a broad range of conceptual issues in African
studies and postcolonial theory.
Successful candidates will be required to be present on
campus during the relevant academic semesters unless
granted leave by the fellowship board. All fellows
will be required to produce two peer-reviewed journal
articles over two years, credited to the University of
the Western Cape, and at least show significant
progress towards completing a monograph, which when
published should contain appropriate acknowledgement of
the University. The Centre for Humanities Research at
UWC, to which Postdoctoral fellows will be affiliated,
offers a supportive scholarly environment for pursuing
research. The centre hosts a weekly seminar series
where prospective candidates can present their research
and solicit valuable feedback from an interdisciplinary
forum of academic staff and graduate students. Fellows
are required to participate fully in the seminar
series. The centre also provides office accommodation
and access to the UWC – Robben Island Museum Mayibuye
Archive collection. Through participation in the
Centre's activities and programmes, postdoctoral
fellows will contribute to the shape of graduate
studies by making available, through participation in
the Centre's programmes and through publication, the
most recent scholarly discussions and debates.
FELLOWSHIP AWARDS
In 2007, the Programme may make five postdoctoral
fellowship awards in disciplines associated with the
humanities. The value of the award is R115 000 for 2007
and R125 000 for 2008. The awards cover a monthly
stipend, travel costs, accommodation and basic research
expenses.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are required to submit a letter in which
they provide a motivation, a TEN page description of
their research project, a plan of work on the project,
a curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation
from academic referees (to be sent directly to the
PSHA), a writing sample consisting of an extensive
research project or publication, preferably in a peer
reviewed journal, and a copy of their academic
transcript. They will be selected by a panel of core
faculty associated with the PSHA.
- Closing date
- Applications and referees' letters must
reach the Selection Panel on or before 31 October 2006.
The Committee may interview applicants. Incomplete
applications will not be reviewed.
All inquiries to be directed to Ms. Lameez Lalkhen,
llalkhen@uwc.ac.za (+27) (0)21-959-2616.
Please send completed applications to:
Dr. Premesh Lalu
Convening Committee, Programme for the Study of the Humanities in Africa
Department of History
University of the Western Cape
Private Bag X17
Bellville 7535
South Africa
Email: plalu@uwc.ac.za
Phone: 021-9592225 (from outside SA: 27+21+9592225)
Fax: 021-9593598 (from outside SA: 27+21+9593598)
Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.